FARMERS RESOURCES USE EFFICIENCY IN SOME HORTICULTURE CROPS PRODUCTION IN NORTH WESTERN COAST AREA

The research estimated the efficiency of resource use among north western coast farmers in Marsa matrouh governorate using a sample of 200 respondents that were randomly selected; Interview schedules and structured questionnaires were administered to elicit information from the farmers. Data were analyzed using gross margin analysis, production, costs functions and resource use efficiency. The results for Tomato showed that, the regression analysis indicated that, R2 was highly significant at 1% level with the value of 90%. This implied that 90% of the total variations in Tomato  yield is explained by combine influence of all the explanatory variables (farm inputs) in the regression equation analysis, Gross margin analysis showed that farmers made profit (gross margin=  11810 LE / feddan). The resource use efficiency result showed that, the farm resources (cultivated area, organic manure, machines and labour) were under-utilized for Tomato production in the study area, The results for Cantaloupe showed that, The regression analysis indicated that,R2 was highly significant at 1% level with the value of 91%. This implied that 91% of the total variations in Cantaloupe yield is explained by combine influence of all the explanatory variables (farm inputs) in the regression equation analysis, Gross margin analysis showed that farmers made profit (gross margin = 15870 LE/feddan), the resource use efficiency result showed that two farm resources (cultivated area and labour )were under –utilized and one farm resource(N fertilizer) was over- utilized for Cantaloupe production in the study area.